Dental attachment



Jan. 11 1-927. R. F. STOEFFLER DENTAL ATTACHMENT Filed July 6. 1926 Patented Jan. 11, 1927.

DENTAL ATTACHMENT.

Application filed July 6,

My invention relates to improvements in attaching means for removable dentures.

An important object of the invention is to provide means whereby the stress and 6 strains applied to the denture are properly absorbed by a resilient element, and hence the abutment tooth is properly protected.

A. further object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, so constructed that the stud element is properly held within the socket element, but may be removed therefrom whendesired and also so constructed that the spring may be removed from the socket element.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention, showing the same in use,

Figure 2 is a plan view. of a denture showing my attaching means applied thereto,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an elevation of the outer side of the socket element, v

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the spring element,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the stud clement,

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 4, and,

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on line 99 of Figure 5.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 desig-' nates abutment teeth, and 11 a removable denture.

Suitably secured to the opposite sides of the removable denture are rigid T-shaped stud elements 12, including a transverse head 13 and shank 14. Each abutment tooth 10 is provided upon the side or face thereof adjacent to the den-v 1926. Serial No. 120,715.

and a bottom 20. The outer side wall 19is provided with a longitudinal opening 21, for the reception of the shank 14 of the stud element. V

The numeral 22 designates a generally U- shaped spring, formed of resilient metal, and. this spring includes an inner arm 23, and an outer arm 24, connected by a bottom portion 25, as shown. The inner arm 23 preferably tapers upwardly, while the outer arm 24 is provided with a slot 26, to register with the slot 21, for the passage of the shank 14. The

bottom 25 of the spring is preferably tapered or beveled, at its ends, as shown at 27 The inner and outer arms 23 and 24 are longitudinally curved, and normally bulge inward ly, the bulging being more pronounced adjacent to the free ends of these arms. The inner side wall 18 of the socket element'is prospring element from being accidentally rev moved from within the socket element, when inserted therein. There are spaces 32, about the bottom 25 of the spring,,whereby the spring may be forced into the same by the stud element, and to allow of sufficient space for the limited movement of the spring. The inner side wall 18 is provided with a groove 33, cut therein and leading to a point behind and beneath the shoulder 30. The function of this groove is to provide a space for the V insertion of the point of a pair of tweezers, which may be employed to engage with the arm 23, in the removal of the spring element from the socketelement.

In the use of the device, as shown in Figure 1, the socket elements are carried by the abutment teeth 10, and the stud elements are carried by the denture 11. The elements 12 are inserted into the outer ends of the socket elements, and forced into the'same, to the 5 closed position, Figure 3. The opposite flat faces of the transverse head 13 contact with the arms 23 and 24 of the spring element, causing these arms tobecome substantially flat. The spring arms contact with the opposite flat faces of the head 13, throughout the major portion of its area, thereby affordelement in the socket element, butwilltake 'up the strainsiinparted to the denture, and will prevent undue strains being transmitted to. the abutment teeth. The arrangementis such that the denture may be removed'for cleaning or the like, and the spring may'also be removed. I

7 It is to be 'understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is'to be taken as a preferred example ofthe same, and that various changes in the's'hape,

size and arrangement of part'smay be resort- .ed to, without departing fromthe "spiritof my invention, or the scope of the 'subjo'ined claims,

Having thus described my invention, I

l claim l. fastening means, for a removable denture, comprising a socket element to be secured to an a butment toothfor the'like, said socket element 11 aving oppositely' arranged substantially. flat side Walls, one sidewall having a longitudinal slot, 'a' stud element to {be secured to "a denture and embodying a substantially he'a'd'ror iinsertion'within the socket element between the substantially fiat side Walls, and a generally 'U-shaped spring mounted within the socketeleinent and embodying spaced arms, said arms being normally bowed and. adapted 'to substantially straightened out by engagement between the substantially flatfh'ea'd and b tially flat side Walls, one armjoffh spring having a longitudinal slot for coaction with the slot offphe socket element.

2. A fastening means for a removable denture, comprising a socket element to'be secured to an abutment tooth or the like, sald socket element having opposi'tely arranged substantially fiat side "Walls, onefside'wall having alongitudinal slot, bothside walls I being provided with internal recesses affording shoulders, a generally"U-shaped-spring arranged Within the socket element, sa1d spring including arms w hich are longitudinally bowed, the ends of the arms engag ng beneath'said shoulders and the arms being adapted lto be forcedinto the recesses, and a stud 'elem'ent comprising 'af'sub'stantially fiat head to enter the socket element and to lbeqheld Within the generally "El-shaped spring, the stud element also comprising a shank, one arm 0i the spring having a longitudinal slot for coo-action with the slot of the socket element to receive the shank of the stud element. 1 p

r 3. A fastening means for a removable denture, comprising a socket element to be secured to an abutn'ient tooth orthe like, 'said socket element havin'gppposite'ly arranged substantially flat sidewalls, one side Wall having a longitudinal 'slot, both side 'ivalls having internal recesses a'i fording shoulders, the side wan opposite theslotted side wall having agroox'e leading back oi. the should iereoi, a generally U-shaped spring a d-agedwithin the socket element a d including curvedarms, the ends of the arms engaging beneath said shoulders and the arms being'ada'pted to enter the recesses,

one arm having a's'lot for co-action with the slot ofthe socket element, and a stud eleinent having a substantially flatlieadand a shank, the head being adapted for insertion into the socket element Within the spring While the shank enters'sai'd slots.

4, A fastening means for removable denture, comprising "socket'eleinent provided With a longitudinal slot, a generally,

U-shaped spring a ranged within the socket element fandl'inclii spaced arms ektend- "ing longitudinally thereof, one 'armliaving alongitudinal slot to co -act with the first namedfsl ot, and a stud element having a head i for insertion "into fthesocket element Within the spring and 'a shank to 'enter'said 5. Ata'st'ening means for a denture C0111- prising a generally lat soc-l'zet'element havingoppositely arranged sides one side being providedwith a longitudinal slot, bothsides 'be'ing provided upon their inner faces with shoulders, the side opposite the slotted side being provided upon its inner face with a groove, erg-tending behind and belexv the shoulder otthis side, a' generally U-shaped spring adapted'to befarranged Within the socketelement, said spring including spaced arms and atransverse portion connecting 'said'arms, said transverseportion being arranged adjacent to the/bottom ofthe soeket element and the free ends of the'arins hav- "ing interlocking engagement beneath said shoulders, said groove permitting of the infsertion of' an implement'behind the adjacent arm forthe removal of the spring,'and a stud element having a headffor insertion ithin the socket element and the generally U-shapedspring anda shank to enter said slot. V f

IntestimOny whereof I afiix my signature.

RALPH STOEF'FBER. 

